The Right to Privacy 

The Right to Privacy

Government -- 12th Grade 

Content Objectives: Students will be able to analyze the constitutional foundations and Supreme Court interpretations of the right to privacy by examining landmark cases, identifying their societal impacts, and evaluating privacy issues in contemporary contexts.

• Analyze the constitutional foundations of the right to privacy.

• Examine Supreme Court cases to understand privacy rights and their societal impacts.

• Evaluate contemporary issues related to privacy in modern contexts. 

Language Objectives: Students will be able to articulate the constitutional basis and implications of the right to privacy by defining key terms, summarizing Supreme Court cases in writing, and constructing arguments using evidence and academic language in discussions and written responses.

• Define key terms related to the right to privacy.

• Summarize Supreme Court cases in writing.

• Construct arguments using evidence and academic language in discussions and responses.

Common Core Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.1
  Cite specific textual evidence to support the analysis of primary and secondary sources.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.1
  Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1
  Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions on topics, texts, and issues. 

Lesson Overview:

• Focus: Students explore the constitutional basis of privacy rights through landmark Supreme Court cases such as Griswold v. Connecticut, Roe v. Wade, and Lawrence v. Texas and connect these to modern digital privacy debates. 

• Agenda:

  • • Welcome, Recap, and Objectives Review (5 min).

    • Warm-Up Question: "What does privacy mean to you?" (5 min).

    • Lecture with Guided Notes: Overview of constitutional foundations and cases (20–25 min).

    • Independent Reading: Analyzing landmark cases (30–35 min).

    • Exit Ticket: Reflecting on privacy rights (5 min).

Key Activities:

• Independent Case Analysis: Students read about and analyze landmark privacy cases to explore their constitutional implications and societal impacts.

• Exit Ticket: Students reflect on which Supreme Court cases had the most significant impact on privacy rights, supporting their argument with examples.

Assessments: 

• Formative: Class discussion, warm-up activity, and guided notes. 

• Summative: Written analysis of landmark cases and a reflective exit ticket on the significance of privacy rights.